Apparatuses for launching projectiles
An apparatus for launching projectiles. The apparatus includes a hollow cylinder and a piston in sliding engagement through the hollow cylinder. The piston is configured to drive a fluid through the hollow cylinder. The apparatus further includes a barrel defining an open end and a chamber in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder. The chamber is configured to receive a projectile and to receive fluid driven from the hollow cylinder wherein the projectile is driven from the barrel through the open end.
This application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 of and claims priority to PCT International Application Serial Number PCT/US2007/005913, which was filed Mar. 7, 2007, and was published in English, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/780,273, which was filed Mar. 7, 2006, the entirety of each are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention pertains to apparatuses and methods for launching projectiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDifferent launching or firing devices eject or expel different respective projectiles. For example, archery bows launch arrows, firearms fire bullets, paintball guns launch paintballs, pellet and/or air guns launch pellets and/or BBs, and dart guns launch darts. There is a need to have an apparatus that provides the capability to launch a variety of projectiles from a single launching or firing device.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
One aspect of the invention includes an apparatus for launching projectiles, the apparatus includes a hollow cylinder and a piston in sliding engagement through the hollow cylinder. The piston is configured to drive a fluid through the hollow cylinder. The apparatus further includes a barrel defining an open end and a chamber in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder. The chamber is configured to receive a projectile and to receive fluid driven from the hollow cylinder wherein the projectile is driven from the barrel through the open end.
Another aspect of the invention includes a method for launching projectiles, the method includes providing a first modular structure configured to force a fluid through the first modular structure. The method includes securing a second modular structure in fluid communication with the first modular structure. The second modular structure is configured to receive the fluid forced from the first modular structure. Moreover, the second modular structure defines a chamber to receive a projectile in a relationship wherein the fluid forced from the first modular structure is capable of launching the projectile from the second modular structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThis disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote” the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).
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In operation (described more thoroughly subsequently), an exemplary projectile is provided by projective loading device 150 into a chamber (discussed subsequently) wherein fluid driven from cylinder 82 by piston device 40 will increase in velocity through tube 90 and travel to impact the projectile which will launch or eject the projectile through an open end 192 of barrel 190. An exemplary projectile loading device 150 includes a projectile housing 152 that can hold a plurality of projectiles. An exemplary projectile for apparatus 10 is a paintball wherein exemplary barrel 190 is configured to have a paintball travel down the barrel 190 under the pressure and force of the compressed volume of air that originated from the compression tube 80. An exemplary housing or hopper 156 will hold a plurality of paint balls, for example, one to ten paint balls. Moreover, an exemplary embodiment of hopper 156 will be able to pivot or move over a range of from about 0° (arbitrarily representing vertical) to about 50°. Stated another way, the hopper 156 will be able to pivot from adjacent the riser 18 of archery bow 12 in a direction 181 of about 50° from riser 18. An exemplary apparatus 10 is capable of launching a paintball at a velocity having a range of from about 200 feet per second to about 325 feet per second.
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Moreover, each incremental position of valve lever 158 which is closer to the positive sign 128 moves the bottom surface 197 of cavity 187 at a greater degree of angle relative the vertical position of
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Still referring to 14-15 and 17, a first end of a first cable 266 is anchored to primary slide 269 by screw 267 with cable portions extending around pulleys 273 and 275 to terminate with a second end of the first cable 266 being anchored to base block 250 in recess 244 by another screw 267. A pair of pulleys 268 are rotatably secured to base block 250 by a dowel pin 262 wherein the pair of pulleys 268 are oriented generally perpendicularly to pulleys 273 and 275 and oriented generally parallel to one another. The pair of pulleys 268 are positioned in spaced grooves formed in base block 250 that extend through a corner edge established by face 240 intersecting bottom wall 242. A first end of a second cable 264 is anchored to secondary slide 272 by screw 267 with a cable portion extending from secondary slide 272 generally parallel with bottom wall 242 to ride over one of the pair of pulleys 268 wherein a cable portion extends generally perpendicularly with bottom wall 242. The exemplary second cable 264 continues over a cylinder driver 278, over the other of the pair of pulleys 268 to extend generally parallel with bottom wall 242, and terminates to form a second end of the second cable 264 being anchored to a spring 265. An end of spring 265 opposite the second cable 264 is anchored to base block 250 in recess 244.
It should be understood that spring 265 provides a tensile force on second cable 264 which pulls secondary slide 272, and pulley 275 thereon, toward face 240 of base block 250. With pulley 275 being pulled toward face 240, first cable 266 is under tensile force which pulls primary slide 269 away from face 240 with one of the pair of stop screws 270 abutting or resting against an edge of base block 250. It should be further understood that dowel pin extending from primary slide 269 will be positioned in an opening in base slide 110 of base plate 100 of the first modular structure 36 (
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It should be understood that any one part or piece of first modular structure 36, and any one part or piece of second modular structure 148, and any one part or piece of second modular structure 248 can comprise a metal, a metal alloy, and/or a plastic material. An exemplary metal includes stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, carbon steel and aluminum. An exemplary plastic material comprises nylon, Delrin, polyethylene, fiberglass and other polymers. It should be understood that the first modular structure 36, the second modular structure 148, and the second modular structure 248 all can be used by a right-handed operator with a righted-handed bow structure, and alternatively, all can be used by a left-handed operator with a left-handed bow structure.
Other perspectives or characterizations of expressing methods of operating the respective apparatuses 10 and 210 according to various embodiment of the invention is presented. The operation of apparatus 210 for launching a pellet is first discussed. In an initial step, the first modular structure 36 and the second modular structure 248 are secured to bow 12 by aligning openings in riser plate 117 over berger holes in riser 18. Riser plate 117 is securely attached to the archery bow riser 18 using the existing berger holes that are threaded into most common bow risers 18. The piston device 40 is securely attached to the drawstring 22 of the archery bow 12. With the use of the riser plate 117, the mounting bracket 115 and the bracket adjustment device 116, the first modular structure 36 and the second modular structure 248 are adjustable in three dimensions relative to the riser 18 and the drawstring 22.
The second modular structure 248 includes the projectile loading device or pellet receiver for the pellet apparatus 210 and is a machine that allows pellets to be loaded, staged for firing and fired into a rifled barrel. The main areas of the pellet receiver are the loading apparatus, the staging cylinder, the staging cylinder advancement and location mechanism and the barrel. An exemplary pellet includes a cylindrical shaped projectile made from lead or other metallic materials and placed into a pellet staging trough. The pellet staging tough is part of the body structure of the pellet receiver. Referring to
The pellet cylinder 277 is a plastic or metal cylinder that rotates about a hole in the center of the cylinder. There are 2 to 20 holes arrayed about the centerline of the cylinder that stage the pellets for shooting. An alignment feature is part of the periphery or face of the cylinder that interfaces with an alignment pin or ball that is part of the receiver to accurately rotationally position the cylinder. Notches or detents 283 are cut into the face or periphery of the cylinder to interface with the advancement dog or cylinder driver 278 which advances the cylinder in a single direction. In an exemplary embodiment of the advancement dog or cylinder driver 278, the cylinder driver 278 rocks back and forth on the same centerline as the pellet cylinder 277 and has teeth 239 that engage with the notches on the pellet cylinder. The dog can move axially relative to the pellet cylinder and is forced by spring pressure towards the pellet cylinder. The rotational position of the advancement dog is controlled by a metal cable 264 that sits into a groove in the dog and is secured to the dog. The linear movement of the cable causes the dog to rotate about its centerline. When the dog is rotated in one direction, the teeth engage with the notches in the pellet cylinder and rotate the pellet cylinder. When the dog is rotated in the opposite direction, the teeth disengage from the notches of the pellet cylinder, pushing the dog away from the pellet cylinder against the spring pressure, allowing the dog to rotate without rotating the pellet cylinder. The dog rotates until the teeth fall back into the notches and it is staged to rotate the cylinder again.
The advancement dog cables 264 and 266 are actuated by a system of slides, pulleys and cables. The primary slide 269 is attached to a cable such that when the slide moves in a linear fashion, it causes the cable to move in a linear fashion. The cable is routed with a speed reduction 272 and a series of pulleys to the advancement dog. The back and forth movement of the primary slide causes the advancement dog to rotate back and forth. A pellet staged in the pellet cylinder is directly in line with a metal barrel assembly. The barrel assembly contains an inner, rifled barrel 251, an outer support barrel 290, threaded bosses on each end and dampening material. The inner barrel is a long, hollow cylinder with an inside surface configured with helical grooves that run the length of the barrel. The inner barrel runs through the outer barrel and is supported in tension in between the threaded bosses on each end and the outer barrel. A soft, plastic dampening material fills the space between the inner and outer barrels.
A plunger or piston head 52 can be made from metal or plastic of a variety of materials and is slightly smaller that the pressure tube 82, allowing it to move freely within the pressure tube. The plunger may or may not contain a seal to prevent or minimize the movement of air between the plunger and the pressure tube wall. The plunger is attached to the end of the plunger rod and is joined such that it can move at angles relative to the plunger rod.
The operator holds the archery bow 12 securely in one hand and pulls the drawstring 22 away from the riser 18. As the drawstring changes position relative to the bow riser (that is moving away from the riser 18), the plunger moves linearly through the pressure tube creating a cavity of lower air pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. Concurrently, the linear action of the plunger causes a one way valve to open in the plunger allowing atmospheric air to pass by the piston head 52, filling the low pressure chamber in the pressure tube with atmospheric air. The archery bow now has substantial potential energy stored in the limbs of the bow and the pressure tube is filled with air.
The operator releases the drawstring and the potential energy stored in the bow limbs is transferred into kinetic energy and linear motion in the drawstring. The plunger attached to the drawstring moves with great speed and force into the pressure tube. This action causes the valve in the plunger to close, restricting the flow of air through the plunger. The air that had been drawn into the pressure tube is forced into a smaller diameter tube 90 through a fitting 86 that gradually reduces the diameter of air flow. The reduction of air flow diameter greatly increases the velocity of the air. The high velocity air is routed through a tube 92 to the pellet receiver.
The high pressure air then moves through the receiver, where the pellet lies directly in its path. The pellet is held in a chamber that is approximately the same diameter as the pellet. The similarity in size between the pellet and the chamber creates a seal between the pellet and the chamber walls causing pressure to build behind the pellet. The differential in pressure on each side of the pellet causes the pellet to move away from the receiver at a high rate of speed. It travels through the aforementioned barrel and exits the barrel into the atmosphere.
The operation of apparatus 10 for launching a paintball is now discussed. The paintball apparatus bracket or second modular structure 148 is securely attached to an exemplary bow riser 18 using the existing berger holes that are threaded into most common bow risers. The plunger shaft or piston rod 42 is securely attached to the drawstring 22 of the archery bow 12. As stated previously, modular structures can be adjusted in three dimensions relative to the riser 18 and the drawstring 22.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8-13, a paintball 191 includes a spherical projectile comprised of an outer skin with a viscous jelly core generally about 0.69 inch in diameter. The paintball is placed into a cylindrical staging chamber called a hopper 156. The hopper can hold up to 10 paintballs and is made from plastic, metal or other structural type materials. The hopper attaches over a hollow cylindrical feature or collar 184 of a base bracket 154 that is attached to the paintball receiver 150. This base bracket 154 can be adjusted approximately 45 to 50 degrees to change the angle of the hopper relative to the receiver. The other end of the hopper has a rubber or plastic finger 180 that restricts movement of the paintballs and prevents the paintballs from falling out once loaded. After the paintballs are loaded into the hopper, the receiver handle 112 is pulled, which moves the position of the slide 163, allowing a paintball to drop into the firing chamber 139. A rubber finger 153 restricts multiple paintballs from entering the firing chamber. The receiver handle is then pushed forward, moving the slide forward which then pushes the paintball forward past the rubber finger. A second rubber finger 155 prevents the paintball from rolling forward into the barrel. The apparatus is now loaded and ready to shoot.
A plunger 52 is made from metal, plastic and is slightly smaller than the pressure tube 82 allowing it to move freely within the pressure tube. The plunger has a seal to minimize the movement of air between the plunger and the pressure tube wall. The plunger is attached to the end of a plunger rod 42 and is joined with a bearing 46 such that it can move at an angle relative to the plunger rod.
The operator holds the archery bow 12 securely in one hand and pulls the drawstring 22 away from the bow. As the drawstring 22 changes position relative to the bow riser 18, the plunger moves linearly through the pressure tube creating a cavity of lower air pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. Concurrently, the linear action of the plunger causes a one way valve to open in the plunger allowing atmospheric air to pass by the plunger, filling the low pressure chamber in the pressure tube with atmospheric air. The archery bow now has substantial potential energy stored in the limbs 14 of the bow and the pressure tube is filled with air.
The operator releases the drawstring 22 and the potential energy stored in the bow limbs is transferred into kinetic energy and linear motion in the drawstring 22. The plunger attached to the drawstring 22 moves with great speed and force into the pressure tube. This action causes the valve in the plunger to close and restricting the flow of air through the plunger. The air that had been drawn into the pressure tube is forced into a smaller diameter tube 90 through a fitting 86 that gradually reduces the diameter of air flow. The reduction of air flow diameter greatly increases the velocity of the air. The high velocity air is routed through a tube 92 to the paintball receiver 150.
The paintball receiver consists of plastic and metal parts whose function is to load and position a paintball for shooting. The receiver also routes that high velocity air to a position whereby it can act on the paintball. As the high velocity air travels into the receiver, it crosses holes that fill a chamber behind the slide with air and allows the pressure to equalize on both sides of the slide. The high pressure air then moves through the receiver where the paintball is directly in its path. The paintball is held in a chamber that is approximately the same diameter as the paintball. The similarity in size between the paintball and the chamber creates a seal between the paintball and the chamber walls causing pressure to build behind the paintball. The differential in pressure on each side of the paintball causes the paintball to move away from the receiver at a high rate of speed. It travels through a cylindrical shaped barrel and exits the barrel into the atmosphere.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is; therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. An apparatus for launching projectiles, the apparatus comprising:
- a hollow cylinder;
- a piston in sliding engagement through the hollow cylinder and configured to drive a fluid through the hollow cylinder;
- a barrel defining an open end and a chamber in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder, the chamber configured to receive a projectile and to receive fluid driven from the hollow cylinder wherein the projectile is driven from the barrel through the open end;
- a valve configured to selectively restrict or obstruct the chamber incrementally, the valve positioned downstream from the piston; and
- wherein the valve comprises a longitudinal pin configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis to incrementally obstruct the chamber.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hollow cylinder is removably secured to a bow structure.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston comprises a piston head and a piston rod having a first end pivotally secured to the piston head, the piston rod comprising a second end opposite the first end, the second end removably secured directly to a drawstring of a bow structure.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hollow cylinder is separate and discrete from the barrel, and wherein the hollow cylinder is removably secured to the barrel.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
- another hollow cylinder that receives the barrel, the barrel being positioned in a spaced relationship from an inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder; and
- an insulative material in the space between the barrel and the inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the insulative material comprises at least one of polystyrene and polyurethane.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrel comprises rifling.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the projectile comprises one of a pellet and a paint ball.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder configured in a rotatable relationship with the barrel, the cylinder comprising a plurality of openings to receive projectiles in a launching relationship through the barrel.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tube providing fluid communication between the barrel and the hollow cylinder, the tube comprising a longitudinal structure extending generally parallel with one of the barrel and the hollow cylinder.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrel is a discrete structure relative the hollow cylinder, and further comprising a tube providing fluid communication between the barrel and the hollow cylinder, the tube comprising a discrete structure relative the barrel and the hollow cylinder.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve comprises a lever for manual operation of the valve.
13. An apparatus for launching projectiles, the apparatus comprising:
- a hollow cylinder;
- a piston in sliding engagement through the hollow cylinder and configured to drive a fluid through the hollow cylinder;
- a barrel defining an open end and a chamber in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder, the chamber configured to receive a projectile and to receive fluid driven from the hollow cylinder wherein the projectile is driven from the barrel through the open end;
- a valve configured to selectively restrict or obstruct the chamber incrementally, the valve positioned downstream from the piston; and
- wherein the valve comprises a longitudinal pin having a cavity, the cavity having curvature dimensions the same as the chamber.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the hollow cylinder is removably secured to a bow structure.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:
- another hollow cylinder that receives the barrel, the barrel being positioned in a spaced relationship from an inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder; and
- an insulative material in the space between the barrel and the inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a cylinder configured in a rotatable relationship with the barrel, the cylinder comprising a plurality of openings to receive projectiles in a launching relationship through the barrel.
17. An apparatus for launching projectiles, the apparatus comprising:
- a hollow cylinder;
- a piston in sliding engagement through the hollow cylinder and configured to drive a fluid through the hollow cylinder;
- a barrel defining an open end and a chamber in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder, the chamber configured to receive a projectile and to receive fluid driven from the hollow cylinder wherein the projectile is driven from the barrel through the open end;
- a valve configured to selectively restrict or obstruct the chamber incrementally, the valve positioned downstream from the piston; and
- wherein the valve comprises a longitudinal pin, and wherein the pin comprises a first position that provides minimal obstruction to the chamber and a second position that provides maximum obstruction to the chamber, and the difference between the first and second positions is a rotation about the longitudinal axis of about 90 degrees.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the hollow cylinder is removably secured to a bow structure.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:
- another hollow cylinder that receives the barrel, the barrel being positioned in a spaced relationship from an inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder; and
- an insulative material in the space between the barrel and the inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a cylinder configured in a rotatable relationship with the barrel, the cylinder comprising a plurality of openings to receive projectiles in a launching relationship through the barrel.
21. An apparatus for launching projectiles, the apparatus comprising:
- a hollow cylinder;
- a piston in sliding engagement through the hollow cylinder and configured to drive a fluid through the hollow cylinder;
- a barrel defining an open end and a chamber in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder, the chamber configured to receive a projectile and to receive fluid driven from the hollow cylinder wherein the projectile is driven from the barrel through the open end;
- a valve configured to selectively restrict or obstruct the chamber incrementally, the valve positioned downstream from the piston; and
- wherein the valve comprises: a body secured to the barrel and comprising a plurality of grooves; a lever for manual operation of the valve and located outward of the body; and a plunger extending from the lever and biased against the body, the plunger is configured to rest in one of the plurality of grooves.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the hollow cylinder is removably secured to a bow structure.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:
- another hollow cylinder that receives the barrel, the barrel being positioned in a spaced relationship from an inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder; and
- an insulative material in the space between the barrel and the inner periphery of the another hollow cylinder.
24. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a cylinder configured in a rotatable relationship with the barrel, the cylinder comprising a plurality of openings to receive projectiles in a launching relationship through the barrel.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 7, 2007
Date of Patent: Jul 16, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20100024791
Assignee: Airow X Sports, LLC (Eugene, OR)
Inventor: Devon Romney (Newman Lake, WA)
Primary Examiner: Bret Hayes
Application Number: 12/224,450
International Classification: F41B 11/00 (20060101);